Laparoscopic retroperitoneal renal and adrenal surgery in children

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively assess the use of a retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach for simple nephrectomy and adrenalectomy in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All retroperitoneal laparoscopic renal and adrenal procedures carried out in children and completed between 1993 and March 2000 were reviewed retrospectively. Analgesic requirements, hospital stay, complications and blood loss were reviewed. The technique is described in detail. RESULTS: Forty-eight retroperitoneal laparoscopic procedures were completed in 48 patients (mean age 5.5 years, range 0.5-16). The procedures included nephrectomy (22), nephroureterectomy (15), renal biopsy (six), cyst ablation (two) and simple adrenalectomy (three). In all, 11 procedures were undertaken in children aged < 2 years. Forty-one (91%) of the children undergoing renal procedures were discharged in < 24 h. Two patients underwent three adrenalectomies. Two children required conversion to open surgery, one undergoing a right-sided adrenalectomy and one a nephrectomy. The mean operative duration for nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy was 75 min, and for adrenalectomy was 115 min. CONCLUSION: Renal and adrenal surgery in children is a safe and rapid procedure with retroperitoneal laparoscopy. The operative duration for nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy are frequently < 1 h. In addition, laparoscopic surgery offers significant advantages in terms of cosmesis and a quicker recovery.     

Clinical experience of laparoscopic-assisted radical cystectomy with continent ileal reservoir

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic-assisted radical cystectomy with continent ileal reservoir reconstruction is a challenging procedure. We report our experience learned from a hand-assisted laparoscopic technique in our transition to a pure laparoscopic approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic-assisted radical cystectomy with continent ileal reservoir. Hand-assisted laparoscopy was used for the first 11 patients and pure laparoscopy was performed for the subsequent 7 patients in radical cystectomy. Continent ileal reservoir reconstruction was performed extracorporeally via the hand port wound or trocar extension wound. Surgical outcome was analyzed in a retrospective review of the medical records. RESULTS: In the hand-assisted and pure laparoscopic groups, the mean operative time for cystectomy was 2.5 and 2.3 h, for continent ileal reservoir reconstruction it was 4.0 and 3.7 h, and for bilateral lymph node dissection it was 0.8 and 0.6 h, respectively. Mean intraoperative blood loss was 286 ml for the hand-assisted and 179 ml for the pure laparoscopic group. There were no major intraoperative complications nor need for conversion in any of the procedures. Bowel movement was regained in a mean of 3 days and the mean length of postoperative hospital stay was 7 days. CONCLUSIONS: The hand-assisted laparoscopic experience of radical cystectomy learned from the initial 11 patients effectively helped us in the transition to a pure laparoscopic approach. A comparable surgical outcome was found in both groups of patients.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic renal surgery

The introduction of hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) adds another dimension to standard laparoscopy, and particularly benefits the urologic laparoscopist who performs laparoscopic renal procedures. Hand assistance shortens the initial learning curve for laparoscopic nephrectomy and creates alternatives for more experienced laparoscopists. HALS can be performed on any kidney suitable for intact removal, and is well suited to laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, radical nephroureterectomy, and radical nephrectomy with intact removal. The authors' technique, early experience, and indications for hand assistance are described in detail.     

Complications of laparoscopic nephrectomy: the Mayo clinic experience

PURPOSE: We present the incidence of complications and conversions during laparoscopic nephrectomy performed for various indications and discuss methods to help prevent future complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 1999 to February 2003 at our institution 285 laparoscopic nephrectomy cases were performed, consisting of 113 radical nephrectomies, 101 donor nephrectomies, 27 simple nephrectomies, 23 partial nephrectomies and 21 nephroureterectomies. We reviewed the data base of patients who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy to examine complications and analyze factors related to conversion to an open surgical procedure. RESULTS: Major complications occurred in 16 patients (5.6%). Major complications were surgical in 12 patients and medical in 4. Of the major surgical complications 3, 6, 1, 1 and 1 occurred during laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, donor nephrectomy, nephroureterectomy, simple nephrectomy and partial nephrectomy, respectively. The predominant major surgical complication was bleeding requiring conversion to an open surgical procedure. The overall conversion rate was 4% (12 patients), consisting of 6 emergency and 6 elective conversions. The remaining 27 patients experienced minor surgical or postoperative medical problems, such as urinary retention or wound infection. The mortality rate in our series was 0%. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic renal surgery is becoming a routine procedure in the armamentarium of many urologists. Complications that are unique to laparoscopy exist but they should decrease with time with repetition and experience. We have learned many different precautions and procedures that should help decrease the risk of future complications associated with laparoscopic renal surgery.     

Retroperitoneal laparoscopic vs open partial nephroureterectomy in children

OBJECTIVES: To compare the results of retroperitoneal laparoscopic with open partial nephroureterectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Laparoscopic retroperitoneal partial nephroureterectomy was undertaken in 15 children (13 upper and two lower poles; median age at the time of surgery 61 months, range 5-212). A three-trocar retroperitoneal approach was used. The polar vessels were identified and either coagulated or clipped before transecting the parenchyma using a harmonic scalpel. An additional 13 consecutive children underwent similar procedures (11 upper and two lower poles) by conventional open surgery (median age at surgery 16 months, range 1.5-72). RESULTS: One patient in the laparoscopy group required conversion to open surgery because of a peritoneal tear and was excluded from the analysis. The mean (range) operative duration was 146 (50-180) and 152 (75-240) min for the open surgery and laparoscopy groups, respectively. The blood loss was minimal (< 20 mL) in both groups. The mean (range) hospital stay was 1.4 (1-3) and 3.9 (3-5) days for the laparoscopy and open groups, respectively (P < 0.001). Eight patients were discharged on the day after the laparoscopic procedure. In addition, of those patients in the laparoscopy group who had a lower-pole partial nephrectomy, one had a urinoma after surgery. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy is a safe and feasible procedure in children. It requires a similar operative duration to that of an open procedure. The main advantage to the laparoscopic approach is that it significantly decreases the hospital stay compared with that after an open procedure.     

Hand-assisted surgery improves outcomes for laparoscopic nephrectomy

Laparoscopy has become the preferred method for nephrectomy in many medical centers. We compared our experience with hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy (HALN) and standard laparoscopic nephrectomy (LN). Data were prospectively collected on 119 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy between August 2000 and November 2002. Outcomes were compared for LN versus HALN using Wilcoxon rank sum test for quantitative outcomes and Fisher exact test and chi2 for qualitative outcomes. Thirty-nine patients underwent LN: 16 live donor, 16 radical, and 7 simple nephrectomies. Eighty patients were treated with HALN: 47 live donor, 32 radical, and 1 simple nephrectomy. There were no differences in mean age (49.2 years LN vs. 47.7 years HALN, P = 0.60) or weight (192.2 lb LN, 179.2 lb HALN, P = 0.12). Mean tumor size (4.77 cm LN vs. 7.12 cm HALN, P = 0.07) and length of extraction incision (8.37 cm LN vs. 7.87 cm HALN, P = 0.08) were similar. Total hospital charges (19,352 dollars vs. 18,505 dollars, P = 0.29) and length of stay (3.68 days vs. 3.72 days, P = 0.15) were equivalent for LN and HALN. Average operative time for HALN was significantly shorter (202 minutes vs. 258 minutes, P = 0.0001), and blood loss was less for HALN (71.7 cc vs. 113.1 cc, P = 0.007). Wound complications rates were similar (6.5% HALN vs. 13% LN, P = 0.34), but overall morbidity rates were higher after LN (28.2% vs. 6.3%, P = 0.001). Compared with pure laparoscopic nephrectomy, the hand-assisted approach reduces operative time and blood loss without increasing total hospital charges or length of stay. In our patients, HALN was also associated with fewer postoperative complications than standard laparoscopic nephrectomy. Hand-assisted laparoscopy may allow for the performance of increasingly complex procedures while maintaining the benefits of minimally invasive surgery.     

Comparison of hand assisted and standard laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy for the management of localized transitional cell carcinoma

PURPOSE: Hand assisted laparoscopy affords the surgeon tactile sensation and blunt dissection, which are currently limited using the standard laparoscopic technique. Therefore, we compared standard and hand assisted laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy for localized upper tract transitional cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 27 patients who underwent standard (11) or hand assisted (16) laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy between April 1998 and January 2001 were retrospectively reviewed. The parameters of efficacy, efficiency, safety and convalescence were compared. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 64 and 66 years (p = 0.72) in the standard and hand assisted groups, and the mean American Society of Anesthesiologists score was 2.5 and 2.7 (p = 0.64), respectively. All standard and 15 of the 16 hand assisted (94%) procedures were successfully completed via laparoscopy. Total operative time was more than 1 hour shorter for hand assisted than for laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (4.9 versus 6.1 hours, p = 0.055). Mean estimated blood loss was similar in the standard and hand assisted groups (190 and 201 ml., p = 0.78). In each group 1 patient required blood transfusion. Mean specimen weight was significantly higher in hand assisted cases (576 versus 335 gm., p = 0.036). Mean time to oral intake was similar in patients who underwent standard and hand assisted laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (13 and 20 hours, respectively, p = 0.45). The mean analgesic requirement was also similar (29 and 33 mg. morphine sulfate, respectively, p = 0.83). Mean hospital stay in uncomplicated cases was similar for standard and hand assisted surgery (2.9 and 2.5 days, respectively). Overall hospital stay in the 2 cohorts was also similar (3.3 and 4.5 days, respectively, p = 0.59). Four patients per group experienced postoperative complications. There were no deaths in the standard group but 1 patient (6%) in the hand assisted group died postoperatively. Mean time to partial and complete convalescence in the standard and hand assisted groups was 2.4 and 5.2, and 3.5 and 8.0 weeks, while mean followup was 27.4 and 9.6 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with standard laparoscopy hand assisted laparoscopy decreases operative time without significantly altering short-term parameters of convalescence. However, long-term convalescence after hand assisted laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy is 1 to 3 weeks longer (p = 0.27). Longer followup in the hand assisted cohort is necessary to determine whether there are any differences in the 2 methods in regard to cancer control.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy

The introduction of hand-assisted laparoscopy should benefit every laparoscopic urologist. Hand assistance will shorten the learning curve for many urologists interested in performing laparoscopic renal procedures, including nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy. Advanced laparoscopists will be able to undertake more challenging procedures, including nephrectomies for inflamed, infected kidneys and live-donor nephrectomies. A step-by-step approach is presented for hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy.     

Comparison of laparoscopic versus hand-assisted live donor nephrectomy

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to compare hand-assisted laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy with the classic laparoscopic method, using meta-analytical techniques. METHODS: A literature search was performed for studies comparing hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy with classic laparoscopic nephrectomy for live kidney donation between 1999 and 2005. The following end points were evaluated: operative time, warm ischemia time, intraoperative adverse events, donor and recipient postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Nine comparative studies matched the selection criteria, reporting on 376 patients, of whom 202 (53.7%) had hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy and 174 (46.3%) had the classic laparoscopic technique. Conversion to open surgery was 2.97% in the hand-assisted group and 4.60% in the laparoscopic group (P=0.35). Total operative and warm ischemia times were significantly shorter for hand-assisted laparoscopy by 30.03 minutes (P=0.02) and 1.14 minutes (P<0.001), respectively. The intraoperative blood loss was less for the hand-assisted laparoscopy group by 34.16 mL (P=0.008), although intraoperative (3.46% vs. 7.47%; P=0.24) and postoperative (5.94% vs. 10.34%; P=0.30) donor complications and recipient complications (including delayed graft function and primary nonfunction, 8.41% vs. 7.42%; P=0.32) were similar between the hand-assisted and laparoscopic groups. CONCLUSION: Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy appeared to have the same donor and recipient complication rate with standard laparoscopy but offered substantial advantages in terms of shortened operative and warm ischemia time as well as decreased intraoperative bleeding.     

Meta-analysis of the complications of laparoscopic renal surgery: comparison of procedures and techniques

PURPOSE: We performed a meta-analysis of the literature to define the current expectations of complications during laparoscopic renal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: References were searched in the MEDLINE database from 1995 to 2004 using the terms complications and laparoscopic nephrectomy. Inclusion criteria were any series with greater than 20 cases, patient age older than 16 years and any complications listed for certain procedures, including laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, HA laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, LPN, HALPN, laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, HA laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, laparoscopic simple nephrectomy, laparoscopic nephroureterectomy and retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy. A data extraction form was created to categorize major or minor complications. A 5 member panel adhered to the strict criteria and extracted data from articles that met inclusion criteria. Data were entered into a spreadsheet and a meta-analysis was performed. RESULTS: Initial review identified 73 of 405 references that were acceptable for retrieval and data extraction, of which 56 met inclusion criteria. The overall major and minor complication rates of laparoscopic renal surgery were 9.5% and 1.9%, respectively. There was a significant difference between the major complication rates of LPN and HALPN (21.0% vs 3.3%, p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that patients who undergo laparoscopic renal surgery may have an overall major complication rate of 9.5%. The highest major complication rate is associated with technically challenging LPN (21%). There appears to be a significantly higher wound complication rate associated with HA surgery in comparison to that of standard laparoscopy (1.9% vs 0.2%, p <0.05).     

Financial analysis of open versus laparoscopic radical nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy are rapidly becoming established procedures in select patients with renal cell carcinoma and upper tract transitional cell carcinoma, respectively. We present a retrospective comparative analysis of laparoscopic versus open radical nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy from a financial standpoint. The effect of the learning curve on costs incurred was also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Detailed itemized cost data on 18 contemporary cases of open radical nephrectomy performed from September 1997 to July 1998 were compared with similar data on 20 initial laparoscopic cases performed from September 1997 to July 1998 and 15 more recent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy cases performed from August 1998 to July 1999. Financial data were also compared on 14 contemporary patients each who underwent open radical nephroureterectomy from June 1997 to December 1999, initial laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy from June 1997 to December 1998 and more recent laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy from January 1999 to October 2000. Yearly financial costs were adjusted for inflation by a 4% annual rate to reflect year 2000 data. RESULTS: For radical nephrectomy mean operative time in the 18 open, 20 initial laparoscopic and 15 recent laparoscopic cases was 185.3, 205.7 and 147.3 minutes, respectively. Mean specimen weight was 555, 616 and 558 gm., and mean hospital stay was 132, 31 and 23 hours, respectively. Compared with open radical nephrectomy mean total costs associated with initial laparoscopy were 33% greater (p = 0.0003). Mean intraoperative costs were 102% greater and mean postoperative costs were 50% less. In contrast, the more recent laparoscopic cases were an overall mean of 12% less expensive than open surgery (p = 0.05). Mean intraoperative costs were only 33% greater and mean postoperative costs were 68% less. For radical nephroureterectomy mean operative time in the 14 open, 14 initial laparoscopic and 14 recent laparoscopic cases was 246, 196 and 195 minutes, respectively. Mean specimen weight was 442, 517 and 531 gm., and mean hospital stay was 142, 63 and 32 hours, respectively. Compared with open radical nephroureterectomy mean total costs associated with initial laparoscopic cases were 28% greater (p = 0.03). Mean intraoperative costs were 65% greater and mean postoperative costs were 27% less. In contrast, the more recent laparoscopic cases were an overall mean of 6% less expensive than open surgery (p = 0.63). Mean intraoperative costs were only 31% greater and mean postoperative costs were 62% less. CONCLUSIONS: Initially in the learning curve laparoscopic radical nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy were 33% and 28% financially more expensive, respectively, than their open counterparts. However, with increased operator experience and efficiency resulting in more rapid operative time and decreased hospitalization laparoscopic radical nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy are currently 12% and 6% less expensive, respectively, than their open counterparts at our institution.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: comparison to pure laparoscopic donor nephrectomy

Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery is assumed to be easier to learn than the standard approach and simplifies intact kidney removal. Herein we have presented our experience performing hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALDN) compared with contemporary pure laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN). We retrospectively analyzed 55 patients who underwent LDN. Among the procedures, 21 were HALDN and 34 were pure LDN. We compared the two groups with regard to operative time, warm ischemic time (WIT), estimated blood loss, conversion rate, postoperative stay, and complications. For the HALDN group, the mean operative time was 191 minutes, WIT varied from 2 to 11 minutes, and bleeding estimates varied from 100 to 4000 mL. The overall complication rate of 28.6% included: vessel injury, urinary leakage, and paralytic ileus. In the LDN group, the mean operative time was 184 minutes, WIT varied from 2 to 10 minutes, and bleeding estimated varied 100 to 3000 mL. Three patients (8.8%) had complications including ureteral obstruction (n = 1) and vessel injury (n = 2). There was no significant difference between the two groups about the procedure and the complications. Our series suggested that HALDN and LDN were similar, with a tendency toward better results in LDN group, which also shows lower costs.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy for inflammatory renal conditions

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic surgery for large renal lesion or kidneys with chronic inflammation has proved to be technically challenging. Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery might be useful in these complex cases, as it provides surgeons the benefits of tactile feedback, digital retraction, and facilitated dissection of the renal hilar vessels. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients undergoing hand-assisted laparoscopic (HAL) nephrectomy for benign conditions were compared with patients who underwent HAL radical nephrectomy during the same period. The demographic data, laterality, operative time, estimated blood loss, conversion rate, length of stay, histopathology findings, morbidity, and mortality were reviewed. RESULTS: The main indications for surgery were chronic inflammation and xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. Twenty patients had unilateral nephrectomy (10 each on the right and left), and two patients had bilateral nephrectomy. The mean operative times for unilateral and bilateral nephrectomy were 163 minutes (range 55-261 minutes) and 265 minutes (range, 238-291 minutes), respectively. Nine patients (45%) with inflammation had complications (15% major and 30% minor). The mean length of hospitalization for patients undergoing HAL nephrectomy was 7.2 days (range 2-35 days). The patients with inflammatory pathology had longer mean operative times, higher estimated blood loss, longer hospital stay, and higher morbidity than patients undergoing radical nephrectomy. CONCLUSION: Compared with standard laparoscopy, the hand-assisted approach has been reported to reduce operative times and increase safety. The advantages of minimally invasive surgery, such as reduced analgesia, shorter hospital stay, and faster return to normal activity, appear to be similar to those in patients undergoing a pure laparoscopic nephrectomy. Compared with radical nephrectomy for renal tumor, HAL simple nephrectomy can often be more challenging and associated with greater morbidity. For both the community urologist as well as an experienced laparoscopist, this approach is useful in handling these challenging cases.     

手助腹腔镜肾切除术30例报告

目的:探讨手助腹腔镜肾切除术的方法和临床应用价值。方法:为30例患者施行手助腹腔镜肾切除术,其中根治性肾切除术20例,单纯性肾切除术3例,肾输尿管全长切除膀胱袖套状切除术4例,活体供肾切除术3例。结果:30例手助腹腔镜肾切除手术均获成功。手术时间80~260m in,平均162m in;术中出血30~200m l,平均96m l。结论:手助腹腔镜手术不仅具有常规腹腔镜手术创伤小、患者康复快等优点,且操作相对简单,易掌握,安全性较高,适合于泌尿系大器官、复杂手术。     

Robot assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: initial experience

PURPOSE: Advances in laparoscopy have made laparoscopic partial nephrectomy a technically feasible procedure but it remains challenging to even experienced laparoscopists. We hypothesized that robotic assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy may make this procedure more efficacious than the standard laparoscopic approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients with a mean age of 58 years and mean tumor size of 2.0 cm underwent robotic assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and another 10 with a mean age of 61 years and mean tumor size of 2.18 cm underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, as performed by a team of 2 surgeons (MS and ST) between May 2002 and January 2004. Demographic data, intraoperative parameters and postoperative data were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in patient demographics between the 2 groups. Intraoperative data and postoperative outcomes were statistically similar. In the 10 patients who underwent robotic assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy there were 2 intraoperative complications. There was 1 conversion in the laparoscopic partial nephrectomy group. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is a safe and feasible procedure in patients with small exophytic masses. The robotic approach to laparoscopic partial nephrectomy does not offer any clinical advantage over conventional laparoscopic nephrectomy.     

Complications of contemporary radical nephrectomy: comparison of open vs. laparoscopic approach

Increasingly, laparoscopy is being employed in the treatment of urologic malignancies. This is most apparent in kidney cancer, where laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is now considered to be a gold standard. Herein, we compared early postoperative morbidity in a contemporary series of open and laparoscopic radical nephrectomies. We reviewed all patients that underwent a radical nephrectomy between October 1999 and May 2001 at our institution. We then compared open radical nephrectomy patients to those undergoing laparoscopic approaches with specific attention to early complications. A total of 74 radical nephrectomies were performed: 41 open, 18 hand-assisted and 15 pure laparoscopic nephrectomies. Overall, complication rates between the open, hand-assist and pure laparoscopic groups were similar (10%, 17% and 12%, respectively, P = 0.133). There was no statistically significant difference in ASA score (P = 0.144), pre-operative hematocrit (P = 0.575) or intra-operative blood loss (P = 0.364). The open nephrectomy group had a statistically larger average tumor size (7.4 cm vs. 4.6 cm; P = 0.005) and younger average age (57 vs. 63; P = 0.019) than the laparoscopic group. Length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the laparoscopic group (3.6 days vs. 1.7 days; P < 0.0001). Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy has an acceptably low complication rate and compares favorably to open radical nephrectomy. The low rate of complications combined with the advantages of laparoscopic surgery favor a laparoscopic approach for the majority of patients with stage T1 and T2 tumors.     

Comparison of hand assisted versus standard laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for suspected renal cell carcinoma

PURPOSE: We compared standard and hand assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for suspected renal cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 22 hand assisted and 16 standard laparoscopic radical nephrectomies performed for suspected renal cell carcinoma. Operative and recovery data were collected prospectively and from medical records as part of an institutional review board approved protocol. Patients completed pain, activity and the 12-item short form health related quality of life surveys preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: Although patients undergoing hand assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy had larger tumors (mean 6.3 versus 4.1 cm., p = 0.009), tended toward greater corrected mean specimen weight (658 versus 482 gm., p = 0.111) and had greater medical co-morbidity (p = 0.0228), mean operative time for hand assisted laparoscopic procedures was significantly shorter (205 versus 270 minutes, p = 0.0004). With experience mean operative time decreased for standard but not for hand assisted laparoscopy (293 to 232 minutes, p = 0.0445, versus 206 to 204, p = 0.6162). Procedure type, surgeon experience and adrenal sparing were the only significant predictors of operative time. There was no difference in the groups in terms of the complication rate, hospital cost or stay, return to activity or overall pain score, or in the difference in preoperative and postoperative 12-item short form scores. Hand assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy tended to be associated with more abdominal pain early in convalescence and more wound complications but not significantly so. CONCLUSIONS: Hand assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy offers recovery, morbidity and cost that are comparable to those of standard laparoscopy. The benefits of the technique include shorter operative times, no need for specimen morcellation and direct manual control of the operative field. It is particularly useful early in surgeon experience, for large specimens or when patient co-morbidities require a rapid procedure.     

Laparoscopic renal surgery in infants 10 kg or less

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Major laparoscopic urologic procedures have been successful in children, but few reports of laparoscopic surgery in infants weighing <10 kg exist. We present our series of laparoscopic renal procedures in such patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The hospital records of 17 consecutive patients (9 boys, 8 girls) with a median age of 7 months (range 1-25 months) weighing a mean of 8.5 kg (range 4.2-10 kg) who had undergone laparoscopic renal surgery (nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy, nephroureterectomy) between March 1999 and January 2004 were reviewed. Twelve patients underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy, three laparoscopic nephroureterectomy, and two laparoscopic heminephrectomy. Additional procedures were performed concomitantly in three patients. RESULTS: All operations had minimal estimated blood loss. Excluding those patients who underwent additional procedures, the mean operative time was 138 minutes (range 77-229 minutes). The postoperative hospitalization was 23 hours or less in all except two patients, both of whom had undergone additional procedures. The only complication was an intraoperative diaphragmatic injury that was repaired laparoscopically without sequelae. There were no delayed complications, and by 2 weeks postoperatively, all patients were recovered fully. CONCLUSION: Major laparoscopic urologic procedures can be performed in infants weighing <10 kg with low morbidity and rapid recovery.     

Comparison of laparoscopic versus open nephrectomy in the pediatric population

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic renal surgery has become an accepted approach for benign disease in adults. We compare our experience with laparoscopic and open nephrectomy in a pediatric population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 10 pediatric patients underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy or nephroureterectomy and an additional 10 consecutive children underwent similar open procedures. All patients had benign disease and were treated at a single institution. Medical records were reviewed retrospectively for relevant clinical data. RESULTS: Planned surgery was completed in all cases. There were no conversions to open surgery in the laparoscopic group. Mean operative time was 175.6 versus 120.2 minutes (p = 0.01) and mean hospital stay was 22.5 versus 41.3 hours (p = 0.03) in the laparoscopic and open nephrectomy groups, respectively. Blood loss was not statistically different. Analgesic use was qualitatively less in the laparoscopic nephrectomy group. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy may be performed safely in children. While operative time was somewhat longer in our initial laparoscopic series, postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter than for open surgery. Further experience with this technique is warranted.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopy confers equal efficacy in simple and radical nephrectomy

Background and Objectives:

To evaluate outcomes for simple hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy (HALSN).

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was performed at our institution for all patients who had undergone HALSN from January 2002 to January 2009. Thirty-three patients underwent HALSN during this time period and were matched with 33 patients who underwent radical hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy (HALRN).

Results:

Operative times were similar between both groups (301 vs 286 min for HALSN vs HALRN; P=.54). There were no intraoperative or postoperative transfusions in either group. There was one conversion to open nephrectomy in the HALSN group in a patient with xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis and no conversions in the HALRN group. The mean opioid equivalence requirement was not statistically different between both groups (110 vs 120 for HALSN vs HALRN, P=.70). Mean hospital stay was similar for patients undergoing HALSN and HALRN (5.0±3.8 days vs 4.0±1.2 days, P=.63). There was 1 major complication in the HALSN group (pulmonary embolus) and no major complications in the HALRN group. Rates of minor complications were comparable between the 2 groups (18% vs 24% for HALSN vs HALRN).

Conclusions:

HALSN may be associated with similar operative times and length of postoperative hospital stay as well as comparable complication rates compared to HALRN.